AI Research Engineer - Enterprise Automation

Job Description

Job Description

About NIO

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”.

NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth.

NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, premium smart electric vehicles for families through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled AI Research Engineer to design, prototype, and optimize end‑to‑end AI systems that automate enterprise workflows. In this role, you’ll bridge applied research and engineering—developing cutting‑edge AI models, tools, and platforms that streamline decision‑making, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new capabilities for enterprise users.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct applied research in AI and machine learning for process automation, knowledge systems, and intelligent decision support.
• Prototype, train, and deploy models that integrate with enterprise tools (e.g., ERP, CRM, LLM interfaces, and knowledge graphs).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams in data engineering, product, and business functions to identify automation opportunities and deploy scalable AI solutions.
• Develop pipelines and infrastructure for continuous learning and model optimization in production environments.
• Stay current with advancements in foundation models, multimodal AI, reinforcement learning, and autonomous agents, and evaluate their potential enterprise applications.
• Publish internal technical reports and contribute to the company’s intellectual property portfolio.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in applied AI/ML research or engineering.
• Solid understanding of deep learning, LLMs, and model architectures (e.g., Transformers, diffusion models).
• Skilled in Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow.
• Experience building and deploying AI for enterprise automation or intelligent assistants.
• Strong software engineering background, with experience in scalable systems, APIs, and cloud environments (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multi‑agent systems, data orchestration, or autonomous workflows.
• Knowledge of knowledge graphs, vector databases, or retrieval‑augmented systems.
• Familiarity with enterprise security, compliance, and data governance.
• Published research or open‑source contributions related to AI automation or applied ML.

Compensation

• Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
• Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only. It does not include discretionary bonus, equity, or benefits.

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time NIO employee, you are eligible for the following benefits on the first day you join NIO:

• Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan. Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.
• Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with Brokerage Link option
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time
• 13 Paid Holidays a year
• Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
• Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
• Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Mobile Cell Phone Credit
• Free lunch and snacks
• Onsite gym
• Employee discounts and perks program

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.